Even the most reliable and powerful car can fail due to the breakdown of a small part. Its name is the gasket. Such products often wear out and require periodic replacement. This article will focus on the key features of the gaskets, their role in the car, as well as the selection features.

Why are gaskets in cars necessary?

In most cases, gaskets for cars have a major role regardless of their area of ​​use (the parts for which they are intended). Automotive gaskets ensure the tightness (connection) of mechanisms. They also serve to protect against moisture ingress. Simply put, car gaskets play an important role.
Why else do you need spacers in the car? They are suitable for those cases where two surfaces adjacent to each other are uneven and poorly processed. The pliable and soft gaskets take on the shape of the product well, smooth out the existing roughness and irregularities.
To clearly understand why a gasket in a car is needed, an example should be given. In particular, in the “heart” of the machine, the engine, various liquids are constantly circulating. Many of them are under pressure. To maintain it at the required level, complete tightness must be ensured. Engine gaskets are irreplaceable in this case. They allow sealing (connected parts or) a spare part, thereby preventing leaks.

Types of gaskets

If we talk about how to choose gaskets in a car, it is important to consider their varieties. It is the type of pad that directly affects which pad you need to buy.
When talking about material and form, one point should be clarified. Both of these parameters depend on the technical characteristics of the material with which the product is to come into contact. Also, not the last factor influencing the choice of a gasket in a car is the goals set for them.
As for the types of gaskets, they are conventionally divided into 3 categories:

1. The first type is suitable for preventing leakage, as well as retention of various technical fluids. Among the latter, engine oil or coolant should be distinguished.
2. The second type is a kind of sealant. The role of such car gaskets is to seal the abutment points. They also resist pressure and high temperatures. For example, they are installed as a cylinder head gasket.
3. The third type is called oil seals. Such seals need to be purchased to protect the places where fixed parts come into contact with moving parts.

As for the shapes of gaskets for vehicles, there is no uniform solution. Manufacturers produce parts with various shapes and surfaces. If you need to buy and replace a car gasket, you should order a new one recommended by the car manufacturer.

What other types of gaskets are there?

Among other things, there is another division of car gaskets according to their place (used in a car) location. So the most demanded of them are:

• Cylinder head gaskets. Engine gaskets.
• Collector gaskets. Gearbox gaskets.
• Cooling system gaskets. Car chassis gaskets (hubs, bridges, etc.)
• Let’s talk about them separately.

Cylinder head gaskets

Among all gaskets used in a car, special attention should be paid to products for cylinder heads. Such products are high-tech and highly complex. What are cylinder head gaskets made of? Most often, their structure is very complex. For their manufacture, paronite, fiber, cork, cardboard (special), etc. are used. metal
The purpose of the cylinder head gaskets is (to ensure a tight connection of the cylinder head directly to the cylinder block) to seal the cylinder head joints. Also, such products allow you to avoid leaks of oil and coolant supplied to the engine.

Intake and exhaust manifold gaskets

Such gaskets in the car are located in the place where the manifold is connected to the cylinder block. For the intake manifold, products made from pressed cardboard are suitable. In the case of the exhaust manifold, stronger materials must be used, as there are elevated temperatures in this area. For these purposes, in most cases, gaskets made of metal or asbestos-free paronite are used. Metal-asbestos

Cooling system gaskets

Cooling system gaskets are extremely important for the proper (engine) function of this unit. They allow you to maintain a normal operating temperature in the cylinder block. (this system) This equipment consists of several units connected to each other. The gaskets ensure complete tightness at the joints (cooling system units) of the cooling system. What materials to choose such gaskets for a car? Synthetic rubber (silicone) is most often used here. It is not susceptible to the negative effects of low temperatures, as well as to direct exposure to oils and liquids.

Choosing the right gasket for your car is easy. If you have difficulties with this, you can always seek help from more experienced motorists or use the services of professionals.